Relying on a decade-old study and research by an organization with a clear political agenda, you buy into the flawed notion that rigorous teacher training programs, including those offered by SUNY and CUNY colleges, don’t result in better qualified teachers.

Understanding the importance of teacher quality to student success, the Board of Regents in 2009 — under the leadership of my predecessor — adopted rigorous rules to ensure that all teachers meet the highest standards.

The SUNY Charter School Committee’s action undermines SUNY’s own TeachNY program, which was developed to strengthen teacher recruitment and training.

For example, its rules require only 40 hours of “field experience.” That means that a child’s education may be placed in the hands of someone who has spent only one week in front of actual students. Do you want your surgeon or your pilot to have only one week’s experience of on-the-job training?

The Regents and I will continue to explore ways to improve how we recruit and train teachers. So let’s strengthen teacher training and not look for quick fixes.